Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed shock and surprise at the recent trade that sent Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks’ biggest star, to the Los Angeles Lakers. In an interview with The Dallas Morning News, Abbott, a Texas sports fan, admitted that he didn’t understand the reasoning behind the trade and considered it a major surprise.
The trade, which also included Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, brought all-NBA forward-center Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick to the Mavericks. Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison acknowledged the shock felt by fans but defended the move as a strategy to win in both the present and the future.
The news of the trade came as a surprise to many, including Governor Abbott, who was preparing for his State of the State address when he learned of the deal. The trade sparked emotional reactions from Mavericks fans, with some even holding a gathering and funeral outside the American Airlines Center to mourn the loss of Doncic.
Abbott, who has often praised Texas as a superior alternative to California, particularly in terms of business opportunities, expressed disappointment at seeing Doncic move to the Lakers, a popular California-based sports franchise. Like many fans, Abbott was left reeling from the unexpected trade and found himself focusing on the implications of losing one of the team’s key players.
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